[This information is from Vol. IV, pp. 1667-1670 of Hudson-Mohawk Genealogical and Family Memoirs, edited by Cuyler Reynolds (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1911). It is in the Reference collection of the Schenectady County Public Library at R 929.1 R45. Some of the formatting of the original, especially in lists of descendants, may have been altered slightly for ease of reading.]

This family descends from the famous O'Neil clan of Ireland and trace their history back to the tenth century. The American head of the family is Anthony McQuade, born in county Fermanagh, Ireland, son of Peter and Susan (McDermott) McQuade, grandson of Anthony and Catherine (McNabb) McQuade, great-grandson of Raymond and Sarah (McKeough) McQuade. The family was originally seated in county Tyrone, Mac Cathmhaoil of Cinel-Fearadhaigh, pronounced Mac Cawell of Kinel-Farry, being the ancestral name of the McQuades of Tyrone. Authorities: "Annals of Ireland," by the Four Masters; "Annals of Ulster," published by authority of the British Government; "O'Neills of Ulster," by [Thomas] Matthews.

The territory of Cinel-Fearadhaigh, the patrimonial inheritance of the Mac Cathmhaoil, the descendants of Fergal, son of Muireadhach (Murrough), son of Eoghan (Owen), son of Niall of the Nine Hostages (monarch of Ireland), was nearly co-extensive with the barony of Clogher in county of Tyrone.

The Cinel-Fearadhaigh, viz.: the Clan Aengus (Magennis), Clan Duibhinreacht, Clan-Fogarty, all of Tyrone, and the Hy-Kennoda (Kennedy) and the Clan-Colla, both of Fermanagh, were under the leadership of Mac Cathmhaoil, Lord of Cinel-Fearadhaigh. The Hy-Kennoda gave name to the barony of Tirkennedy in the east of Fermanagh, adjoining the barony of Clogher in Tyrone.

The family of Mac Cathmhaoil, a name generally anglicized to Mac Cawell or Mac Caghwell, and Latinized Cavellus, who supplied several bishops to the See of Clogher, are still numerous in their ancient territory (southern Tyrone and northern Fermanagh), and the name is found in other counties anglicized variously as Campbell, Caulfield, and Howell.

From "O'Neills of Ulster": O'Duggan in his topographical poem written about A.D. 1350, describing the ruling tribes of Ulster, says:

The festive Cinel Fearadhaigh
Constantly noble are their genealogies
A clan without disgrace from their arms
And the warlike Clan Cathmhaoil
The two eastern septs are of every tribe
In the high Cinel Fearadhaigh.

Cinel-Fearadhaigh or Cinel-Farry, now the barony of Clogher, Tyrone county, the patrimony of Mac Cawells or Mac Cathmhaoil. The Mac Cawells who were Brehons (judges of the Brehon laws) in Cinel Owen (Tyrone) are famous in Irish history for their learning and the many dignitaries they supplied to the church. In Cinel Owen about this time, A.D., 1300, the Mac Cawells were the hereditary advisers of the king. The standard of the king of Aileach that day (Battle of Leitherbe, A. D., 636), who was of the sept of the Mac Cawells (Cinel-Fearadhaigh), is stated to have been black and red. The king was Suibhne Meann, who was not only king of Aileach, but also monarch of Ireland (Ard-Righ), at that time. In this battle Suibnhe Meann was overthrown.

The name McQuade instead of Mac Cathmhaoil seems to have been adopted by the family as an English name about 1600, A. D. Peter McQuade, who died October 18, 1855, who spoke Gaelic as well as English in speaking to his grandchildren, McQuade, frequently called them by their ancient Gaelic name Mac Cawell (Mac Cathmhaoil). The natives when speaking the Irish language always pronounce the name Mac Cawell.

The Irish annals show that the family Mac Cathmhaoil occupied the territory named above from the time of the assumption of family names A. D., and under the name Cinel-Fearadhaigh from the time of Niall of the Nine Hostages, A. D. Irish authors, annalists, say that a chief of this family, converted by St. Patrick, proceeded to the Isle of Man and converted the people of that island to Christianity. His name was Maughold and a town of Man is called by his name and was the seat of his bishopric. The name Mac-Cathmhaoil (signifying "Son of the Hero in Battle") has existed in Man from very early times and still continues there under the form of Cowell, like all Gaelic Manxnames having dropped the prefix Mac, meaning son. The head of the Irish militia, Fionn Mac Cuill, tradition says, was of this family. Fionn Mac Cuill is the great hero of legendary history, claimed alike by Ireland and also by Scotland under the name of Fingal. Ossian, the son of Fionn, has been immortalized by the researches of the Gaelic authors, prompted by the partial fabrications of Mac Pherson.

The great Scotch family of Campbell is said to be a branch of the Mac Cathmhaoil, and Irish genealogists say that the Campbell arms, the gyronny of eight, is the common property of the Mac Cathmhaoils.

Ancient maps showing the possessions of the clans of Ireland before the confiscation of Ulster by the English, place the Mac Cathmhaoils in the southern part of Tyrone and the northern part of Fermanagh. This confiscation deprived them as well as the other Irish clans of their ancestral possessions and they became tenants where formerly they were masters. The Patent Rolls, James I., of England, from 1607 and after, show numerous pardons to Mac Cawells and McQuades, for their rebellion, but few if any restorations of land. In these the variety in spelling the names shows that the English clerks were sorely put to straits when it came to spelling Irish names. Among these varieties are, McQuoyd, McQuod, Mc Coade, MC Quaide, Mc Quoad, and Mc Cooade. Mac Cathmhaoil is generally spelled McCawell or McCaghwell, sometimes McCuill, McCooell, or Mc Cowell.

(Extracts from "Annals of Ulster")

A. D. 1185, Gilchreest Mac Cawell, chief of Kinel-Farry and the Clans, viz.: Clan-Aengus, Clan-Duibhenreacht, Clan-Fogarty, Hy-Kennoda, and Clan-Colla in Fermanagh, and who was chief advisor of all the north of Ireland, was slain by O'Heghny and Muinter-Keenan, who carried away his head, which however was recovered from them in a month afterward. (There were no wounded or prisoners after conflict in those times, those vanquished forfeited their heads, which were taken home by the victors as tokens of triumph.)

1238, Flaherty Mac Cawell, Chief of Kinel-Farry and Clan-Congail (Connell) and of Hy-Kennoda in Fermanagh, the most illustrious in Tyrone for feats of arms and hospitality, was treacherously slain by Donough Mac Cawell, his own kinsman.

1251, Donough Mac Cawell, Chief of Kinel-Farry, was slain by the people of Oriel.

1252. Conchobar (Conor) Mac Cawell, Chief of Kinel-Farry and many other territories, and peacemaker of Tir-Connell, Tir-Owen, and Oriel, was slain by the people of Brian O'Neill while defending his wards O'Kane and O'Gormley, against them.

1261, A victory won by O'Donnell over Niall Culanagh O'Neill. Many of the chiefs of Kinel-Owen (Tyrone), under the conduct (leadership) of Mac Cawell, Chief of Kinel-Farry, were killed or taken prisoners.

1365, Rory, the son of Donnell O'Neill, was slain by the shot of an arrow by Melaghlin (Malachy), Mac an Ghirr Mac Cawell of Tyrone.

1368, Cu-Uladh Mac an Ghirr Mac Cawell, chief of his own tribe and a son of his, who was a learned and illustrious professor of Sciences, died in England.

1370, Gillapatrick Mac Cawell, Chief of Kinel-Farry, Cu-Uladh, his son and his wife, the daughter of Manus Mac Mahon, were treacherously slain by the sons (clan) of Hugh Mac Cawell. Murrough, his (Gillapatrick's) brother then became Chieftain of Kinel-Farry.

1474, Don Roe, the son of Cu-Connacht Mac Guire, was slain by Richard Mac Cawell.

1480, O'Donnell accompanied by the sons of Art O'Neill and the sons of Phelim O'Neill, committed great depredations on Mac Cawell in Kinel-Farry, and slew Brian, son of Turlough, son of Henry O'Neill, and the son of Mac Cawell, i. e., James.

1481, In a war between O'Neill and John, Buidhe O'Neill, a son of Gillapatrick Mac Cawell, was slain.

1492, Gillapatrick Mac Cawell, taken prisoner and Mac Cawell, that is, Edmond, slain by the sons of Redmond Mac Mahon.

1493, Donough Mac Cawell taken prisoner in a battle between the two O'Neills, Donnell and Oge, the sons of Henry, son of Owen O'Neill.

1498, Gillapatrick Mac Cawell slain at Caveny's Cross.

1508, William Oge, the son of Art Mac Cawell, dean of Clogher, died. He was brother of Owen, Bishop of Clogher. This is the prelate called Eugene (Eoghan or Owen) Mac Camaeil in [Walter] Harris's edition of Ware's Bishops [Sir James Ware, The History of the Bishops of Ireland], page 187. He succeeded in 1508 and died in 1515.

1515, Owen (son of Art, son of John, son of Art Mac Cawell), Bishop of Clogher, died.

1518, Mac Cawell (Donough, the son of Edmond), was wounded in a battle between the O'Neills and many of the Kinel-Farry (Mac Cawells) were slain. Mac Cawell died of his wounds afterwards.

1519, In a war between the O'Neills, Mac Cawell (Cu-Uladh the son of Edmond), Thomas the son of Edmond, and Edmond the son of Gillapatrick Mac Cawell, were slain.

February 15, 1613. Pardon among others to Conchobar Mc Shane Mc Quade (Connor, son of John Mc Quaide).

Professor Patrick H. McQuade (Gaelic, Mac Cathmhaoil, pronounced Mac Cawell), traces under the name McQuade four generations to Raymond McQuade, a farmer of Tyrone, who married Sarah, widow of Edward McKeough.

(II) Anthony, son of Raymond and Sarah (McKeough) McQuade, was born in county Tyrone, Ireland, where he lived and died, a farmer. He married Catherine McNabb. He died suddenly in middle life, leaving issue.

(III) Peter, son of Anthony and Catherine (McNabb) McQuade, was born in Dromore, county Tyrone, Ireland, 1778. He removed to county Fermanagh, parish of Clarnagh, where his children were born and grew to manhood. After the sons had emigrated and settled in the United States, Peter and his wife joined them in Albany, New York, where he died October 18, 1855. He married Susan, born 1770, daughter of John and Mary (McGhirr) McDermott. She died in Albany, October 6, 1868. Both were devoted members of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.

(IV) Anthony (2), son of Peter and Susan (McDermott) McQuade, was born in Clarnagh, Fermanagh county, Ireland, January 27, 1805, died at Albany, New York, September 8, 1864. He came to the United States in 1833, joining an uncle in Albany. He became a street contractor, and graded, curbed and paved many miles of Albany streets, including State street, from Eagle to Washington Park; the streets south of State to Elm and all cross streets from Eagle to the Park. At that time these were only roads, and a great deal of filling and grading was necessary. Later he became a manufacturing brewer, in which business he continued until death. He married in his native town, February 7, 1830, Eleanor McKeough, born there February 7, 1805, died in Albany, New York, April 6, 1887; she was a great-granddaughter of Edward McKeough, whose widow Sarah married Anthony (1) McQuade. Edward (2), son of Edward (1) and Sarah McKeough, married Margaret Kelly. Their son Patrick, born 1768, died November 12, 1831; married Ann McMullen, born 1761, died 1847. Their daughter, Eleanor McKeough, married Anthony (2) McQuade. They were both members of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.

(V) Patrick H., son of Anthony (2) and Eleanor (McKeough) McQuade, was born in Albany, New York, August 29, 1844. He attended the public schools and Albany Boys' Academy, being graduated from the latter institution in 1862, at the head of his class, receiving in addition to his diploma the Gannon Philosophical Medal for proficiency in the natural sciences. After completing his course at the academy, he entered the employ of his father as bookkeeper, continuing until the death of the latter in 1864. From that date his life has been devoted to the cause of education in Albany, a period covering nearly half a century, 1864-1911. He was appointed May 12, 1865, principal of public school No. 1, where he remained until September, 1877, in which year and month he was appointed principal of school No. 13. In September, 1886, he was appointed principal of school No. 21, which position he now fills (1911). In addition to his daily labors, Professor McQuade has for eleven years been principal of the Albany evening high school, receiving his appointment in September, 1900. He stands high as an educator and is well known beyond the confines of his own city. In 1886, in collaboration with Professor Josiah Gilbert, he published "Number Lessons in Arithmetic," that was adopted by the schools of Albany and came into quite general use. He has also written much on various subjects. Prior to the passage of the law placing the American flag on all school houses, the schools of Albany had a "Flag Raising," for which occasion Professor McQuade composed a "Song to the Flag," which came into universal use and may be found in Eleanor Smith's "Musical Series," among the patriotic songs. He is a member of the Albany Academy Alumni Association, and worships at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, of which he is a communicant (as were his parents and grandparents), serving also in the church committee.

He married, in Albany, New York, May 12, 1872, Julia Ransom, daughter of Justus Haswell, for four years surrogate of Albany county, 1860-64, who married Nancy L. Ransom. Through her mother, Mrs. McQuade traces to many of the oldest families of New England; to Robert Ransom, of Plymouth, Massachusetts; to Samuel Chapin, of Springfield, Massachusetts; to Rev. John Sherman, of Watertown, Massachusetts; Philip Sherman, first secretary of the Colony of Rhode Island (from whom Vice-President Sherman also descends); to Richard Smith, one of the first settlers of Rhode Island; to Thomas Bliss, of Hartford, Connecticut, whose widow, Margaret, moved to Springfield, where Margaret and Bliss streets are named for her; to James Comstock, whose name is found on the monument at Groton Heights, Connecticut, erected in memory of those who fell there during the revolution; to Thomas Stanton, the Indian interpreter, and many others of the early settlers. Through her father, Justus Haswell, she descends from John and Mary (Halliday) Haswell, of Stainmore, Westmoreland, England, who came to America about 1775, settling in the town of Bethlehem (Watervliet), Albany county, New York. Their son, Edward, married Anna Russell, descendant of William Russell, the early Massachusetts settler. Their son, Justus, married Nancy L. Ransom as stated. Children of Professor Patrick H. and Julia Ransom (Haswell) McQuade:

John D., born in Albany, New York, 1874; educated in the public and high school, now an accountant with the General Electric Company at Schenectady, New York; unmarried.

Eleanor Haswell, educated in the public and high school, now a teacher in the Albany public schools.